Ex JW's: How do you feel about the 'new light' shed on Matthew 24:34?

Question

Matthew 24:34 Truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.

I, like many others, was taught that this verse indicated that the generation of 1914 would not die out before Armageddon. I clung to this belief, taking comfort in believing God was going to free us from pain and suffering within years, due to the fact that the elderly 1914 generation were almost all gone.

They now claim that 'generation' refers to 'a mind set' or 'set of events', therefore giving no possible time frame in which Armageddon may occur.

What do you think?

Answer 1

Yes, when I was being forced to grow up in the org. in the 80's, they were saying the same thing. And, not just the generation that was born by 1914, but that the people alive in 1914 had to be old enough to be aware of world events (ie WWI) when they were ocurring.

Now, the question I have been pondering as of late is regarding the WT's claim that there are still about 8k of that generation left on earth. I wonder if that number is just propaganda in order to make it appear that is the reason Armageddon has been stayed. This "remnant" was already elderly when I was growing up in the org., but I never bought any of that stuff even back then. Even as a teenager, I had enough logical thinking ability to realize that there was so much that did not make sense and that I was out of there as soon as I was old enough to be out from under my parents' roof.

I also wonder how it is they think that 144K can possibly be the total of all faithful persons, including OT faithful as well as the 8K that are supposedly still alive. That's an awfully long time (several thousand years of human history) for there to only be 144k faithful. I know that Jesus said the gate would be narrow, but that's just outrageous! I'd venture to say that with the billions of people alive on earth today, there would have to be at least that many currently considered to be serving God faithfully, without even getting into how many lived in generations past.

Could it be that the WT is finally getting smart enough to stop setting dates? Does it even matter? Have they not already proven to be a false prophet organization too many times? Does not Deuteronomy 18: 20-22 say that even one false prophecy makes one a false prophet?

Obviously, breaking the date-setting habit is not going to resolve these issues, which is why they now work double time to try to make their members forget that they ever claimed to be "Jehovah's Mouthpiece", the God's "Faithful & Discreet Slave", "Jehovah's Spirit-directed org.", etc. They really need to give it up already and admit that they are just another fallible, human-directed organization that tries to figure things out as it goes along.

Answer 2

I TOLD A FEW THAT THIS IS WITNESSING FOR JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES

" Millions now living will never die in 1918?" less 2007 is age 89.

Surely getting it right is witnessing for Jehovah, but I am no comfortable to fell that I am saying the wrong thing. I want to keep things where I could ask Jesus for correction, in the event something may seem right but I am not sure. I do not consider myself an Ex anything. I am a bible student only.

The above is not scripture and I have known that since I heard it and could not believe any one would say such, it hit my mind that by the time all things are fulfilled, that it is time for the 1914 or 2520 [ this is right ], person of Matt.24: 3, 14; to turn it all over to next one and then he the next as Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and it is true, it is already here.

Rev.12:3,4,6-11,12; These scriptures gives Satan a short time in the time of the end, of Dan.12:1-13; how can any say they know the generation, when this short time for Satan is not known and as a bible student [ having studied most all belief systems possible ], if the bible did not give this short time for Satan, I would not be a bible student. Also, as a student, I expect to know when the WORD will come to the world, and the way it came for real, to hear it slandered? that is the last thing I will ever do [ so many do this ], I am so glad that in the last days and time of the end we are getting the WORD. I needed my whole life with it.

I have had a desire to study the scriptures from age 27 and I sure do
but I want to know it all without others saying something says somethimg that I can not agree with. It hurts to know something is in error a long time.
More than worldly people can expect people to except things they can not.

So I know I will die before the second coming of Christ, and things are revealed to most at the right time and some get it earlier than others and when your not allowed to let it be known that you already know [ well, well ].

When one is making an attempt to deal with the buisness of the mighty God,
it pays to make every effort to be sure. I am the kind of person that needs the time line for every thing, knowing the exact time for all the bible people and events takes some careful study, I have to know it before I can do any thing in the way of teaching it in the event some one else would have to depend on being taught. This I am not going to guess at. I am still a bible student and I love it better than any thing.
If Jesus was going to take over the earth tomorrow, where would he start, in
a multitude that knew how to have proper bible study classes, first correct all the errors, even in the bible if they are there, and continue on with the truth for all the truth seekers.

Answer 3

Salam

The same thing is said in the prophecy of Muhammed SAW saying that he begged the Lord for this Ummah or family not to be removed from the face of the earth until the final day.

If you look closely there is so much but a thin line dividing them. Salam Alaikum

Answer 4

We as Christians are to be lead by the Spirit.A true Prophet of God will prophecy and that which they speak will come to pass.A false prophet will speak and their words will fall to the ground.That is how we are to know whether they are a false prophet or of God.

"And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the {false prophet are}, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever" Rev.20:10

Answer 5

I get so tired of the New Light excuse for Bad religion, I could hurl!....People die over their "New Light" and there is NEVER an apology for it....

Those who have been disfellowshipped for not agreeing with Witness Dogma, after new light reveals that the disfellowshipped person was right in the first place, is there a re-reinstatement, and an apology for the disruption of the Person's life...He!! no.

Answer 6

I think this book is an eye opener its called Gods Final Witness 2008 its free over the net. It talk of the time we are living in now.

Answer 7

In Matthew 24:34 Jesus is talking about the end of the 5th Age, the 5th Age began at Abraham and ended in the year 280 AD, Matthew 1:17 tells you that Jesus came at the beginning of the season of rest, the first harvest, the time of tribulation, (42 generation = 6 days of labor) the 7th day = 7 generation = 1 day of rest).

And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them,

that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
Rev 6:9-11
I John, who also am your brother, and companion in (Tribulation), and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day
Rev 1:9-10



6 days = 1680 years
1 day 280 years
-----------------------------
Total = 1960 years the 1st Time in (Times)The Tribulation

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The 6th Age began 0 AD and ended 1960 AD

6 days = 1680 years
1 day = 280 years
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Total = 1960 years the 2nd Time in (Times)Great Tribulation

However, JW have it part right, all those born before 1960 will be the last to die. Jesus talks of this in Rev 7:13-17

And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of (Great Tribulation), and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

The 7th and final age began 1960 and will end 2940

The 7th age is Half-a-Time.

6 day = 840 years
1 day = 140 years
--------------------------
Total = 980 years 1960/2 = 980 years = Half-a-Time

Answer 8

Since Jesus, said it, I thought it meant that Jesus own generation would see the new millenium. I now believe that it means Jesus kingdom is spiritual.

Answer 9

Jesus said that only the Father knows that day. Also the Bible teaches us that God's time span is different then ours. It is stated however I do not remember where. I do not want to miss quote.

Answer 10

The generation was of the generation since Jesus came
to earth,from then til now,so it could be any time.